Body Image

by Jennie Roles Walter

5ft by 3 ft • Mixed Media $$350

This piece represents the insecurities I have with my own body. I clothed the figure with an oversized men’s shirt to symbolize the idealistic views of women’s bodies that are thrust on us from ever media angle possible, due largely to, I believe, men’s unrealistic body images for women. The hidden black box the figure is standing in overtaken by long blades of grass representing the black abyss of low self-esteems, eating disorders and self-loathing. This abyss, that seems so easy for young women to fall into and be taken over by, has produced vines that are wrapping around the figures body slowing pulling it deeper inside. The hole in the preface of the face represents women screaming at not only their own in contentment but also the contentment for all women who seem to be incapable of accepting their own bodies. The glass of red wine is half empty or is it half full? The wine represents our holy union to God and Christ and the flower represents the beautiful strength and powers that God bestowed upon women. We have the amazing ability to bring forth life, love, compassion, and understanding. The sunset colors represent a dawn of new views, decisions and the acceptance of one’s self inside and out.